Welcome to
Salcombe Prep School
Nestled in North London, Salcombe Prep is a co-educational school for children aged 3–11, offering a dynamic and academically ambitious curriculum within a nurturing environment. Pupils are encouraged to think independently, ask big questions, and aim high.
For over a century, academic excellence has been at our core. From our exceptional Early Years provision to outstanding 11+ results, children benefit from a rigorous, well-rounded education that builds confidence, character, and a lifelong love of learning. At Salcombe, pupils develop the courage to be wise, curious, and successful.
Meet our Headmistress
Welcome to Salcombe Prep School, an exciting place of learning, where pupils are guided to achieve their academic best while developing the confidence and character to thrive in a changing world.
We believe in nurturing the whole child. While we place great value on academic achievement, we also recognise the importance of preparing children for life beyond the classroom, equipping them with the skills, values and mind-set to seize opportunities and face challenges with resilience.
With my extensive educational experience guiding the school’s vision, I am committed to nurturing every child in an inclusive environment where they are supported and encouraged to excel academically and grow into their best selves, where no question is too big or too small to inspire curiosity and learning.
Nicola Sands, Headmistress
INSPECTION REPORT
Salcombe Prep excels in Inspection!
In 2023, Salcombe Prep met and surpassed the standards in all five areas of ISI inspection assessment:
- Leadership and management, and governance.
- Quality of education, training and recreation.
- Pupils’ physical and mental health and emotional wellbeing.
- Pupils’ social and economic education and contribution.
- Safeguarding
Join us for a Personal Tour
Where the educational path to excellence begins
Visit us and discover first-hand how a Salcombe Prep School education empowers pupils for a lifetime of triumphs, built on the solid foundation of academic success.
Location
Discovering excellence in North London
Located in Southgate, North London, Salcombe Prep School occupies two sites, just a brief stroll apart. Each site plays a unique role in fostering our ethos of academic excellence and holistic development, creating a warm and friendly atmosphere that extends across both locations.
Within each setting, Salcombe Prep pupils benefit from a wide range of carefully designed facilities aimed at enhancing the learning experience. These purposefully crafted resources contribute to the creation of an engaging educational environment for all Salcombe Prep pupils.
Pre-School and Pre-Prep School
Green Road, Salcombe Prep's nurturing and vibrant environment for our youngest learners.
Prep School
Chase Side, Salcombe Prep’s enriching and challenging environment for our older pupils.
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💙 Jeans for Genes Day at Salcombe Prep! 💙
Jeans for Genes Day is an annual UK fundraising event organised by Genetic Disorders UK, raising money and awareness for children with genetic disorders. Participants wear jeans and take part in activities to support specialist nurses, research, and vital projects for children affected by genetic conditions.
At Salcombe, our pupils took part with purpose, wearing their denim, designing eye-catching posters, and delivering informative presentations. Their efforts helped raise awareness of genetic disorders and showed support for children and families living with these conditions. 🌟
#JeansForGenes #SalcombePrep #RaisingAwareness #MakingADifference #CreativityInAction
Thank You for Supporting Our Book Drive!
As part of our Global Be Well Day, based on the theme of ‘Connections’, we asked families to donate books they no longer need—and you delivered!
We are thrilled to announce that we collected an amazing 287 books! These will be donated to The Children’s Book Project, a fantastic charity that helps spread the love of reading to children, families, and schools in need.
Thank you for your generosity and for supporting such a meaningful cause. Together, we’ve helped make a lasting connection through the joy of books!
#GBWD2025 #WeAreCognita #Wellbeing #IndependentSchool #PrepSchoolLife #WholeChildEducation #SalcombePrep #CourageToBeWise #PrepSchoolNorthLondon #SmallSchoolBigAmbition #LearningWithoutLimits #FutureReady #CourageToBeCurious #CourageToSucceed #IndependentSchoolLife #EarlyYearsEducation #PrepSchoolExcellence #ConfidentLearners
Today, Salcombe joined over 100 Cognita schools worldwide to celebrate Global Be Well Day 2025 — and we ended the day with a wonderful whole-school picnic! 🌍✨
Families, pupils, and staff came together to share food, laughter, and conversation, creating a true sense of community.
Alongside the picnic, children enjoyed everything from creative projects and kindness quilts to drama workshops, house team games, and even a toy swap. But the picnic brought it all together — a joyful reminder that when we connect, we thrive. 💚
#GBWD2025 #WeAreCognita #Wellbeing #IndependentSchool #PrepSchoolLife #WholeChildEducation #SalcombePrep #CourageToBeWise #PrepSchoolNorthLondon #SmallSchoolBigAmbition #LearningWithoutLimits #FutureReady #CourageToBeCurious #CourageToSucceed #IndependentSchoolLife #EarlyYearsEducation #PrepSchoolExcellence #ConfidentLearners
🌍💚 It’s Global Be Well Day 2025! 💚🌍
Today, over 100 Cognita schools across 21 countries are coming together to celebrate the power of Connecting – with ourselves, with others and with the world around us.
Across five regions, students, teachers and communities are taking time to pause, reflect and prioritise what truly matters: our wellbeing and our relationships with one another.
At Salcombe Prep, we’ll be marking the day with activities that bring our wonderful community together in different ways — taking time to pause, reflect and focus on what matters most.
Because when we connect, we thrive — and at Salcombe, we’re looking forward to having plenty of fun doing just that! 💚
#GBWD2025 #WeAreCognita #Wellbeing #IndependentSchool #PrepSchoolLife #WholeChildEducation #SalcombePrep #CourageToBeWise #PrepSchoolNorthLondon #SmallSchoolBigAmbition #LearningWithoutLimits #FutureReady #CourageToBeCurious #CourageToSucceed #IndependentSchoolLife #EarlyYearsEducation #PrepSchoolExcellence #ConfidentLearners
✨ Last week, Salcombe Prep opened its doors for our very first Open Morning of this academic year — and what a morning it was! ✨
We were thrilled to welcome so many prospective families, from those considering a place in Pre-School or Prep straight away, to those looking ahead to their child`s exciting move into Reception in September 2026 (it will come around quicker than you think!).
Our brilliant Year 6 pupils were our official tour guides and who better to show you around than the children themselves, full of pride and enthusiasm for their school community? 💛 After the tours they had a quick change into their sports kit for PE – a perfect snapshot of how versatile a day can be at Salcombe Prep and how active and involved our pupils are in school life.
🌟 Missed this Open Morning? Don’t worry! 🌟
Our next one is coming up in November – places are already filling fast, so do book soon.
Or, if you simply can’t wait (and we wouldn’t blame you!), get in touch with our Admissions Team to arrange a personal tour.
We can’t wait to welcome you!
Links in our bio!
#OpenMorning #IndependentSchool #PrepSchoolLife #Reception2026 #WholeChildEducation #SalcombePrep #CourageToBeWise #PrepSchoolNorthLondon #11PlusPreparation #SmallSchoolBigAmbition #LearningWithoutLimits #FutureReady #CourageToBeCurious #CourageToSucceed #LearningThroughPlay #IndependentSchoolLife #EarlyYearsEducation #PrepSchoolExcellence #ConfidentLearners
🌟 Welcome back! 🌟 With smiles beaming, excited chatter, and laughter echoing through the school, it’s clear this is going to be an amazing year. Our pupils are ready to embrace new challenges, explore fresh ideas, and achieve their very best.
Welcome back to Salcombe Prep, where curiosity meets courage and every lesson is an opportunity to grow in wisdom.
#SalcombePrep #CourageToBeCurious #LearningThroughPlay #IndependentSchoolLife #EarlyYearsEducation #PrepSchoolExcellence#ConfidentLearners
#AcademicExcellence #BackToSchool #LearningJourney #CuriosityAndCourage #FutureLeaders
Some might simply see two children playing with blocks, but at Salcombe Prep, this is collaborative learning in action.
From the very start of their educational journey, our youngest pupils develop essential life skills through purposeful play-led experiences - teamwork, problem-solving, negotiation - alongside the confidence to take risks.
As they move through the school, these skills grow in depth and purpose, woven into everyday learning. It’s not just about learning what to do, it’s about having the confidence to apply these skills with initiative, independence and intent.
This is where curiosity meets purpose, resilience is built and the pathway to 11+ success begins.
#SalcombePrep #CourageToBeCurious #LearningThroughPlay #IndependentSchoolLife #EarlyYearsEducation #PrepSchoolExcellence#ConfidentLearners
Our pupils are encouraged to show courage in every form — courage to be curious, courageous enough to think differently and brave enough to aim high.
Working a year ahead, we stretch and challenge our learners, building deep knowledge, critical thinking and future-ready confidence.
Because success isn’t just about what you know, it’s about having the courage to use it.
#SalcombePrep #CourageToBeWise #PrepSchoolNorthLondon #11PlusPreparation #SmallSchoolBigAmbition #LearningWithoutLimits #FutureReady
Discover a Salcombe Prep education
Where your child’s educational path to excellence begins
Children who join Salcombe Prep develop their confidence and gain a genuine love for learning, starting them on the path to success.
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